Switch-lever lock



Oct. 15,-1929. I COTTON 1,731,766

SWITCH LEVER LOCK Filed Jul-y 20, 1923 Z Sheets-Sheet 1 Lee J. Cotton TNv NTOH 65%; 1

ATTaRNEY Oct. 15, 1929. L. J. COTTON SWITCH LEVER LOCK Fi1 ed :Iu1y=20, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y W .222: 7 112 J (077-0711 //V/I/7 QQ I solutely secure against unauthorized tam- Patented Get. 15, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE LEE J'. COTTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL SAFETY SWITCH LEVER LOCK COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS SWITCH-LEVER LOCK Application filed July 20,1923. Serial No. 652,707.-

This invention relates to improvements in switch lever locks and is especially adapted to be used in connection with railway switches or the like whereby a simple yet positive and efficient locking device is provided to maintain such. switch levers in the desired position.

One of the important-objects of this inventionis the provision of a lock to be .used on levers for railway switches or the like and which will be fool-proof and also secure as regards unauthorized tampering therewith.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of a manually operated lock for railway switch'levers or the like which shall be adapted to replace the ordinary padlock now applied to these levers and which moreover will be weather-proof and not likely to get out of order even under the more adverse conditions of climate.

A still further important object of this invention is the provision in a lock for switch levers or the like of an improved latching means comprising a minimum of parts and which will be positive in operation and abpering. i

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and following specifications. 1

The invention, in a. preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described. 3 I In'the drawings :-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a railway switch lever with the improved lock of this invention shown as applied thereto, the operation being illus tratedin dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a vertical elevation of the switch lever with thetubular locking-means of .this invention removed therefrom andillustrating the lock mechanism in detail Figure 3 is a detail view illustrating a modification of the look as applied to the lever.

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating-- Figure 5 is a detail view illustrating a slight modification of the invention.

Figure 6 isa detail view of the lock showing the same in open position. s

Figure 7 shows the lock in closed or locked position.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a portion of a switch table for railway switches of ordinary construction, having a switch lever 12 mounted thereon in the usual manner.

The handle: of the lever 12 is provided near its lower end with an encircling ring member 14 adapted to act as a stop for a tubular locking member 16 which is freely slidable upon the handle of the lever '12. This tubular member 16 is shaped as illus-' trated in Figure 1 and has its upper end provided with extensions 18 and notches 20 adapted to co-operate with the overhanging portions of the switch table 10 whereby the lever 12 will be securelymaintained against any out-ward movement as long as the tubular locking member 16 is in its uppermost position, as illustrated by the full lines in Figure 1.

An overhanging extension in the form of a metallic cover 22, as best illustrated in Figure l, is provided adaptedto receive and cover one of the upstanding projections 18 on the tubular element 16 and is provided for the purpose of preventing rain, snow, sleet or other material from falling into the space between the tubular member 16 and the dotted lines in Figure 1, and a latch 32 of a locking device is adapted to co-operate therewith as illustrated. The latch 32 is provided with a cam surface at its lower end, whereby the ledge 30 will readily ride over the latch 32 on its upward movement,

but will be securely maintained in position opening whereby the latch 32'will be nor mally impelled into locking position at all times. A notch 40 is cut into the lower face of the latch member 32. Adapted to co-operate with this notch is a projection 42 formv I ing part of a pivotally mounted slidable keyoperated member 44. The member 44 is.

shaped as illustrated in Figure 2; and is provided with a slot. 46 for the reception of a pin 48 upon which the key-operated member 44 is adapted to slide. A leaf spring-50 is fitted into thelower face of the key-operated member 44 and into a correspondingslot in the casing 34 and is adapted to impel the projection 42 of the key-operated member 44 out of operative relation with the notch 40 in the latch 32 in the event that the lockis tampered with in any manner.

A pin 52 is provided in the casing 34 adapted for the reception of the cylindrical end ofa proper key which is to be fitted into a key hole 27, as illustrated in Figure 1 and which is so. constructed, that it willproperly operate the lock members 44 and 32.

A small groove 53 isprovided in the face of the handle or lever 12 extending from the lower portion of the lock casing 34 and is for the purpose of proper drainage in the event that any moisture or other form of material should accidentally becomelodged in the casing. Y

A modification of the lock illustrated in Figure 2 is shown in detail in Figure 3 .and this look comprises mainly a casing 54 having a latch member 561 slidably mounted therein and'impelled into extending locking position by means of a pair of helical springs 58. The latch member 56 has integral therewith and movable in the interior of the easing- 56, an operating extension 60. as illustrated in Figure 3., the lower end of which extends downwardly and is adapted to. co,- operate with a key similar to the key used with the key in the lock shown in Figures.

1 and 2 and which rotates on a pin 62 similar to the pin 52 in Figure 2. A stop inthe form of a. pin 64-is provided for limitingthe movement of the latch 56.

The operation is as follows Assuming that the device isin its locked position as illustrated by the full lines in Figure 1, it will be seen that all that is necessary to release the tubular locking members 16 is the insertion of a proper key into. the

I keyhole 27 whereupon the latch 32 can be withdrawn from operative relation with the projection 30 by means of the action of the key on the member 44. This allows the tubular locking member to drop into the nosition illustrated by the dotted lines in igure 1, at which point its motion is stopped by the. annular ring 14.

When the tubular member is in the dotted line position, as illustrated, the operator can readily swing the handle 12 outwardly in the ordinary manner and thereby controlthe position of, the switch. Another lock similar to the lock illustrated in Figure 3 may be pro Vided on the lever 12 in order that the same 7 may be locked in switching position if such construction is desired.

Whenever it is desired to return the switch to its original position, the handle 12 is merely pushed down into normal relation with the switch table 10 and the tubular locking member 16 forced upwardly whereupon the extension 30 will ride over the camface of'the latch 32. and will then be maintained in its uppermost position by means of said latch.

The extensions 18 on the tubular locking member 16 will then co-operate with portions of the switch table 10 as illustrated in order to securely maintain the leve'r12 against any further movement.

It will be seen that herein is provided a lock for railway switch levers or the like which is. simple and positive in operation,

composed of a minimum of parts and is not likely to get out of order. Moreover, the lock is. absolutely fool-proof and if any unauthorized person campers. with the same, the keyoperated member 44 will be thrown out of operative relation with the latch 32 by means of the leaf spring 50 whereby furtheroperation will be rendered impossible until such time as the proper key is inserted in the keyhole, 27 and the, latch member 32 re-set into operative relation with the member 44. 'Obviously, the member 16 need not be tubular in form, it being only necessary that it slide able on the lever and a latch means for maintaining said tubular member in looking position, said locking means comprising a springimpelled latch and a slidable key-operated menlil'ber adapted to co-operate with said late 2. A railway switch locking construction including in combination a switch table, a switch operating lever pivoted thereon, a tubular locking member slidably mounted on the lever, and latching means for maintaining said tubular member in locking relation with the switch table, said locking means comprising a spring-impelled latch and a slidable key-operated member adapted to cooperate with said latch.

8. A lock for switch levers comprising in combination a tubular locking member slidable on the lever and a latch means for maintaining said tubular member in locking posi-- tion, said locking means comprising a springimpelled latch, a slidable key-operated member adapted to co-operate with said latch, together with resilient means adapted to automatically disconnect the operating relation between said latch and the slidable key-operated member upon tampering therewith.

4. A lock for switch levers comprising in combination a tubular locking member slidable on the lever, latch means for maintaining said tubular member in looking position, and a projection on the upper end lever adapted to overhang said tubular locking means to prevent any accumulation of foreign material between the lever and said tubular locking member.

5. A look for switch levers, including in combination, a locking member slidable on the lever, and means in the lever and operated through the locking member for maintaining said locking member in switch locking position against gravity.

6. A lock for switch levers, including in combination, a lockingmember slidable on the lever and movable therewith, and a lock in the lever and operated through the locking member for maintaining said locking member in switch locking position.

7. A railway switch locking construction, including in combination, a switch table, a switch operating lever thereon, a locking member slidable on the lever, and latch means for maintaining said locking member in locking relation with the switch table.

8. A lock for switch levers, including in combination, a locking member slidable on the lever, and key controlled means in the lever and operated through the locking member for maintaining said locking member in switch locking position.

9. A railway switch locking construction, including in combination, a switch table, a switch operating lever thereon, and means engaging the table to lock the lever against movement relative to the table, said means including an element slidable on the lever, a lock for said element in the lever, means in the element for admitting a key to said lock, said means preventing the withdrawal of the key when the element is in any but looking position.

including in combination, a switch table, a

switch operating lever thereon, and means on the lever engaging the table to lock the lever against movement relative to the table, said means including an element slidable on the lever, a lock for said element in the lever, means in the element for admitting a key to said lock, said means preventing the withdrawal of the key when the element is in any but looking position.

In testimony whereof I afi'ix my signature.

LEE J. COTTON. 

